New Orleans Hornets' Julian Wright shows right stuff

Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune Hornets forward Julian Wright, blocking a shot by the Phoenix Suns' Matt Barnes during an April 8 game at the New Orleans Arena, is making strides in summer league play in Las Vegas.

Again, it must be stressed that the forward who'll enter his third season didn't have to set summer league scoring, rebounding and assist records while playing against other teams' rookies and throwaways in Las Vegas. Heaven knows we don't want to place too much emphasis on what happened in Vegas, because many a summer hero has turned into a regular-season dud, and vice versa.

But it definitely was a good sign that Wright stepped up the production Saturday and Sunday, from the 10-point average he had the first three games.

No way should he have been so statistically deferential to his summer league teammates, two of whom - rookie guards Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton - didn't play Sunday because of injuries. Those guys should be following Wright's lead in every way.

Wright is too talented to not have been showcasing all his considerable skills against inferior competition, too critical to what the Hornets want and need to do on offense and defense to not have been taking the league as an opportunity to build his confidence.

So a breakout performance or two - 19 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block in 37 minutes, with four turnovers against the Timberwolves and 24 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals in 42 minutes, with one turnover against the Nuggets - certainly didn't hurt.

The point total isn't one he'll be counted on to produce during the regular season, and he isn't likely to play 37 or 42 minutes any night for the Hornets. But the other numbers are ones he routinely can put up, and should put up, if he makes strides this summer and maintains his improvement in the winter and spring.

Former New Orleans Saints linebacker Sam Mills was posthumously enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame on Saturday night.

MORE FOR MILLS

We now can add enshrinement into the College Football Hall of Fame to the impressive list of accolades bestowed upon the late Sam Mills, the former Saints linebacker who gave nine of his 12 NFL seasons to New Orleans, including four Pro Bowl years.

Mills also is a member of Carolina's Ring of Honor, and a life-sized statue of his likeness greets fans entering Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., where the Panthers play their home games. And he's a member of the Saints Hall of Fame.

Sure, he also should be on the Superdome Wall of Fame, alongside the likes of Archie Manning, Eddie Robinson and Rickey Jackson. But whether or not his name ever appears there, we're all well aware of the kind of player Mills was, the kind of person he was and the legacy he left despite dying at the age of 45.

There isn't a hole on Mills' resume because his name isn't on the Superdome wall. Rather, it's the wall that's lacking.